Thick diff fluid has become thin?! Is it normal?

[Antsiranean]

I recently finished my first build in 25 years, an Axial Yeti, Snowman (the Abominable), a great and very rewarding experience. Since I want it to be able to do a bit of crawling, I have 500.000 diff fluid in the front diff. At first, this worked really well, the diff being difficult to turn by hand. However, after just a few runs, the front diff has become very loose. Before, if I turned just one front wheel by hand, all four wheels would turn, now it just different out (unsure of the correct terminology). If diff fluid could snap, that would be what has happened.

I realise I'll have to open up the diff, but before I do, I would like some advice, so that I know what to do and if I need to buy some even thicker fluid.

1. Is this to be expected? Thick fluid being "ground down" and becoming thin?

2. Might I just have to little fluid in the diff? I filled it according to instructions.

3. Should I just add some more 500k, replace it with new 500k, or change to 1 or 2 million?

Advice would be most appreciated.

Did I post in the wrong forum? Maybe it should be in the newbie forum instead? If so, feel free to move it, if someone is able.

[mikemcE]

First thought is it leaked


Hang up and Drive

[WHITE-TRASH]

Yup, the way the diff is sealed on axial independent axles is pretty poor and takes some better o rings on the outdrives to accomplish.

[Antsiranean]

Thanks! I didn't consider leakage. What kind of O-rings should I get? Or do you think some green slime will do the trick?

[WHITE-TRASH]

It's been a few years since I messed with those diffs but I found some o rings at the local hydraulic shop that were a few thousandths thicker that slowed down the seepage in my exo diffs.